Depite a slow start, British boxer Joe Calzaghe never gave up in his match against Bernard Hopkins at Las Vegas' Thomas and Mack Center on Saturday night (April 19), maintaining his undefeated record with 12-round split decision.
B-Hop seemed to control the fight through the early rounds, though, beginning with a knock down of the Welsh champ midway through the first round, via a sneaky straight right on the button.
Hopkins maintained control early on by smothering Calzaghe whenever he attempted to trade blows or evaded exchanged, he never stopped working, eventually wearing down 43-year-old Hopkins.
There was two incidents during the fight when Calzaghe was warned for delivering low blows, including one in the 10th when referee Joe Cortez gave Hopkins a two-minute break to recover, which the Welshman was not happy about.
Calzaghe felt Hopkins was faking, and motioned to the crowd about his displeasure with Hopkins, resulting in boos. It didn't faze him though. He continued his late round rally, eventually winning over the judges at the scorecards.
Judge Chuck Giampa scored it 116-111 and Ted Ginza scored it 115-112 for Calzaghe, while Judge Adelaide Byrd scored it 114-113 for Hopkins.
Hopkins recorded his fifth loss, while Calzaghe -- who admitted it wasn't the most exciting win of his career -- is still undefeated.
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